Sports News 12:30

BULLETIN SPORTS NEWS 21 October 12:30 pm

Good day, let’s look at the latest sports news and scores:

# We start with cricket: The Proteas Women are batting first against Pakistan in their penultimate World Cup group match in Colombo, Sri Lanka, today after already having qualified for the semifinals. Not much is at stake for the opponents, though, as they are at the bottom of the table with only two points from their previous five encounters. South Africa lost its first match against England before consecutive victories over New Zealand, India, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka, and faces defending champion and log leader, Australia, in their final group match in Indore, India, on Saturday.

Meanwhile, a brilliant seven-wicket haul from spinner Keshav Maharaj helped the Proteas Men to bowl out Pakistan for 333 on the second morning of the second Test in Rawalpindi. The hosts resumed on 259 for five after Maharaj and Simon Harmer both took two wickets yesterday. Today’s first wicket fell with the score on 316, whereafter the one batter after the other had to walk back. Pakistan’s captain, Shan Masood, top-scored with 87, Saud Shakeel contributed 66 and Abdullah Shafique 57. Pakistan won the first Test.

# Rugby: Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus says they are expecting a tough and challenging end-of-year tour. Former Junior Springbok prop and captain, Zachary Porthen, is the only uncapped player to be included in the 36-player squad for the November tour. The Boks will face Japan at Wembley Stadium in London on the first of next month, followed by Tests against France in Paris, Italy in Turin, Ireland in Dublin, and Wales in Cardiff. Erasmus says the tour will be a good opportunity to test themselves against the best.

Meanwhile, Ireland wing Mack Hansen has been ruled out of next month’s Test against New Zealand in Chicago after aggravating a foot injury. The British and Irish Lions player came off towards the end of Connacht’s 28-27 defeat to the Bulls in the United Rugby Championship on Friday. Uncapped centre Tom Farrell and Leinster’s Jimmy O’Brien has been added to the squad, with Munster pair Edwin Edogbo and Brian Gleeson also ruled out. Bundee Aki and Robbie Henshaw will continue to be assessed and will travel to the United States.

# And tennis: World number two Jannik Sinner will not play for Italy in this year’s Davis Cup Finals on home soil in Bologna next month. The four-time Grand Slam champion helped propel his nation to victory in 2023 and ’24. A representative for Sinner says he was skipping the event to gain an extra week of preparation for the Australian Open, with which he will start his 2026 season. Italy will face Australia in the Davis Cup quarterfinals. Meanwhile, world number one Carlos Alcaraz has been named in Spain’s team.

Stay tuned for more news………….